To those who have decided to peripherally monitor this train to see of it goes off the rails, I feel obligated to inform you that I am not a same time every day writer. It comes when it comes and the schedule allows. I would love to be a same time every day AM writer. Alas, there are days when I am a PM writer, and even late night writer. (In fact, that is most days) Happy Scribing.

Dec. 6 – Day 36 – 570 Words

Still a bit of a trek uphill in the writing department, and probably a continuation from yesterday. I’m all upset now because I was going through the funner tunnel not long ago, where the book was feeling good to write. At this, the beginning of another writing week, it feels like I am in the mudder tunnel, where words are wrestled a letter at a time onto the page. Doesn’t feel very funner. Feels more like work. And from experience, I know there are quite a few of those days too. It is just the first where I am running into them on this project. I am happy, however, that I am plodding through and still on the rails. Happy writing people. “If helping to catch two serial killers in the past year doesn’t give you weight to throw around, what will?” He walked out of the room, leaving them with Cassidy’s death stench.

Dec. 7-8 – Day 37 & 38 – 1087 Words

I may begin to do this more often, we will see. Do what? Oh, come on, you know what I am talking about. Okay, fine, for those of you who for whateeeeever reason haven’t visited here before today, this is the first time I am combining two days in one update. Genius, right? Who knew? Okay, so it didn’t take the intelligence of a parsnip to pull it off. Still, this is the first time I am doing it so, alright! Way to go, Rob!

To the writing. On day 37 I continued with my sluggish ways, though it was less so than the previous two. The words came tough, but there was a smoothing out point for a while and I enjoyed that while it lasted. I definitely feel better about reverting to my 500 word goal, rather than the timed writing technique I’d switched to for this novel. Yes, with the timed technique I was getting a higher word count on some days, but I wasn’t as comfortable with it as I was with 500.

Plus, there is less wear on my knees with the 500 way, because I can generally reach that goal in less time. And since I described this as a marathon, then I would consider that a good thing. If you missed it, no I am not writing Irony 3 with my feet; nor did I write Irony 2 that way (found here) or the first book I ever wrote, Irony. (found here) I just used knees as a metaphor for psyche, and then used the explanation to plug the two other books in the series.

I know you didn’t miss it, but I got Irony 1&2 in there, didn’t I? Anyway, on to Day 38. I got hungry and made a snack, then continued writing. I got a taste for coffee and made some, then continued writing. I also had to do something that if I told you what it was would be TMI, then, you got it, I continued writing. Usually, when I sit down to write, that is what I do. Day 38 was doing other stuff, and in-between that stuff, getting in 540 words. Which, if you glanced at the calendar at all, means Day 37 yielded 547 words. With that, I wish you happy and productive writing.

For blurb, please see calendar on Contact page.

Dec. 9-10 – Day 39 & 40 – 1074 Words

“If you want to grow, you must step outside of your comfort zone.” Your life begins on the other side of your comfort zone.” We have all heard the inspirational sayings. If you are attempting to succeed at anything, then you are inundated with them. Principally, I wholeheartedly agree with them. The next level up is, most times, just on the other side of taking a few risks.

However, there is something to be said for comfort zones in some things. To me, writing is one of them. In my little 500 a day zone I am comfortable. It is a goal I can reach with minimal pressure, and it allows a seat of the pants writer like myself to keep things fresh.

“Well, Rob, every new thing is uncomfortable, until you get used to it.” Again, I agree with that premise, and can offer no rebuttal to its truth. With that said, I am remaining in my comfort zone for now. 500 Words a day will get the book done if I stick to it, and I am more apt to stick to it if I am comfortable. And right now, at this stage of my writing career (Um, if you are feeling kind and want to call it that) churning out the work consistently is what is important.

I can’t sell any books, if I have no books to sell. Additionally, if I am cozy with the snug 500 word fit, I believe I will produce a better product. Following that line of reasoning, if I produce a better product, when and if the next level comes calling, I will have sustainability. So, um, yeah, there you go, comfort zones rock!

Anyway, on to the past two days of writing. Got past the mudder tunnel and the words are flowing somewhat consistently again. Makes me feel good about plodding through the rough days. Also managed to put up the Christmas tree in the process. It’s all lit up to my right, star on top, devoid of presents for the moment.

“For the moment? Why don’t you tell them how broke you are, and how that tree has a better past than any present it will ever have?”

You’re going to get a balled up five finger present if you don’t shut up. Buzz Killington aside, the tree looks good and makes me feel all in the season. One of my favorite times of the year. Hmm, maybe for next few weeks, I will look for holiday train images for the posts. We will see. Okay, rambling done. The Irony 3 Novel Train is still on the tracks, and I am comfortably okay with that. Happy writing people.

See Calendar blurbs on Contact page.

Dec 11. – Day 41 – 595 WordsCorrection: I stated in my update for days 37 & 38 that it was the first time I was combining two days for an update. Can you say fail? I combined days 26 & 27 (week 4) because I planned on taking Thanksgiving holiday off, and I saw no need to do a separate day just to say that I wrote butkus. However, days 37 & 38 were the first two writing days that I combined in one update. So, technically, in a way that is totally loopehole-ish, it was the first time I combined two days in one. Writing days, that is. So, there, take that Mr. Correction.

Anyway, tonight’s session was smooth in a way that I could have added frozen yogurt and fruit to it, with some milk, supplement powder of my choice, and ice cubes. Booyah, baby, that’s what I am talking about! Feels good, but I am not overly amped about it, for I know what lies ahead. Namely, more mudder tunnel days and wrestling words onto a page. But, I will enjoy today's effort for what it was; smooth as a powdered baby’s bottom. Jessica Smith here I come!

For those confused about the last sentence, and why wouldn’t you be unless you knew who she was, and knew that today was active rest day in my workout cycle, you can click here to be sent to Youtube for the video. (No, not being paid for an endorsement. Just sharing my routine) Gonna light a candle, stretch, shower and relax. Happy writing people.

See Calendar on Contact page for blurb.

Dec. 12 – Day 42 - 803 Words

I can already hear you. “Rob? You told me we would be streaming the 500 words a day scenery. That is what I expected to see whizzing by through my cabin window on this Novel Train trip. Now, you are climbing through the 800 mountains? A 600 hill is one thing, an 800 mountain is another. I did not expect to be up this high. If I’d wanted to be near or over the mountains, I would have flown instead of taking you up on your offer of a train ride.”

Alright, so you didn’t say or even think any of that stuff, but if you’ve been following this blog, then you know that 803 words is not supposed to be the norm. In the beginning, maybe, but not since I goal set for 500 words. Okay, so what had happened was…

Seriously, though, it was just one of those days. I was nearing the end of chapter 8…Oh, did I forget to mention that I was on chapter 8. Anyway, I was nearing the end of chapter 8, but more than that, I was totally engrossed in what I was writing because I was in the middle of contemplating changing the book.

Explanation: ~Deep Breath~ My minor major plot point was set up already, and I knew exactly who the killer would turn out to be and why. I even had a nice red herring (which I am keeping) But then I began writing the back story of the person who was supposed to turn out to be the killer, and man, I am telling you, they just came alive on the paper to me. It was just, wow.

The back story got emotional and this person was selling it and right in the middle the character spoke to me and said, “I want to live! I want to be a part of this for more than just book 3, if you decided to write a fourth and fifth.” I am not lying to you. That is what happened. Yep, they jumped out of the word document and stood beside me and said those things.

Okay, so now I am in exaggeration land, but you get my point. So, what did I do? I sat there pondering for a while, thinking of sticking to my original plan, mulling having to go back and rewrite the details of a whole scene, because I set it up to point to a certain person. And then I realized there was only one thing I could do - The person stays, the scene gets rewritten, and I have to come up with another killer. (Already have btw)

Interestingly, and believe it or not, in my original outline this particular character was supposed to come forward with me, if I wrote more than 3 books in the series. I scrapped that and gave them a different destiny. Tonight they grabbed it back and said, “You had it right the first time. In fact, just let me write the book.” I told them no on the book writing, but did take their suggestion on their destiny. So, there you go, at this, the end of the 6th writing week, a character in my own book stole the show and told me what was what.

Another writing week down and the beginning of another. Right this minute I am feeling proud of myself, almost like I am on top of an 800 word mountain. :) I don’t know if I will ultimately complete the manuscript, or even how good it will be, but I am patting myself on the back a little for getting this far. Happy writing people.